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      Effect of light and vigorous physical activity on balance and gait of older adults.

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          Abstract

          This study aims to quantitatively assess the effects of vigorous and light physical activity (VPA, LPA) on static balance, gait and sit-to-stand (STS) tasks in a cohort of healthy older adults. To this end, 34 individuals of age >65 years were divided into two groups (n=17 each) who underwent 36 sessions (3×12 weeks) of PA characterized by different levels of intensity, assessed through continuous heart rate monitoring during the training session. Their balance and mobility were objectively evaluated on the basis of postural sway and time of STS measurements performed using a force platform. The main spatiotemporal parameters of gait (i.e. speed, stride and gait cycle duration, stance, swing and double support phase duration) were also acquired using a wearable inertial measurement unit. The results show that most gait parameters and STS time significantly improve in the VPA group but not in the LPA one. For the latter group a reduction only of swing phase duration was detected. PA also induced a generalized reduction of postural sway in both groups in the case of absence of visual input. These findings suggest that PA programs characterized by superior levels of intensity might be more suitable in generally improving static and dynamic daily motor tasks, while in terms of static balance acceptable results can be achieved even when only light activity is performed.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Arch Gerontol Geriatr
          Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
          1872-6976
          0167-4943
          : 59
          : 3
          Affiliations
          [1 ] Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. Electronic address: massimiliano.pau@dimcm.unica.it.
          [2 ] Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
          [3 ] CONI Italian National Olympic Committee, Sardinia, Italy.
          Article
          S0167-4943(14)00111-3
          10.1016/j.archger.2014.07.008
          25127848
          ac249c0d-c3bd-4148-8631-ef42ff3cdea2
          Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
          History

          Balance,Elderly,Gait,Physical activity,Postural sway
          Balance, Elderly, Gait, Physical activity, Postural sway

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